More than 50 percent of fresh fruit and vegetables in the US end up getting tossed. In many cases, this is due to the short shelf life of produce. We’ve previously shared the story of Santa Barbara-based startup Apeel, whose mission to reduce food waste involves an ingenious bio-coating that keeps produce fresh for longer.

Now, meet Zhafri Zainudin, an innovator who has come up with a similar solution, called StixFresh, that makes fruit last longer by simply applying a sticker. It may sound too good to be true but, according to Zainudin, the sticker acts the same way as the natural protections used by plants themselves, and has the potential to extend produce life by up to two weeks.

The stickers are about the size of a 50 cent piece and use 100 percent natural ingredients which replicate the antibacterial compounds that plants use to fend off post-harvest diseases. Once the sticker is attached to the fruit, the chemicals spread out to create a protective layer around the surface of the fruit, slowing down the ripening process.

Currently, the stickers are most effective on fruit like apples, avocados, citruses, and mangos, but the company is also exploring different sticker versions that could also increase the self-life of berries and vegetables.

By making produce last longer, the team behind StixFresh hopes to help both farmers and families cut costs as well as reduce the environmental toll of food waste.

Image Source: StixFresh